"Mom? I'm home!" my voice rang across the walls like an empty gallery. I stood with the door halfway open, awaiting a response that I knew very well I'd never hear. Feeling stupid, I pushed the door fully open, revealing the empty living room I had left only this morning. I couldn't help but sigh, as I listened to the all too familiar sound of nothing taint the area. The sight of mother staring into the backyard window was even more recognizable. A year. It had been almost a year since I heard the comforting sound of my mother's voice. It wasn't the first time I found myself talking to her; hoping she would do something to acknoledge my existance. Although a ridiculous thought, I hoped the news I bared would somehow break her trance and we could go back to the way things used to be.

"Mom..." I mumbled as I pulled a chair from under our decrepit table. "I… graduated… I-I finally graduated!" the words felt surreal. "I worked so hard... I'm going to become a Templar… I'm going to be just like you!" quickly, I pulled out my certificate and posed it in her lign of site. "I hope you're proud!"

Nothing. Her expression - unwaivered. Her stare was as emotionless as ever.

I frowned, "Don't worry mom… Take your time."

I nodded slightly and placed my certificate back into my handbag.

"I also made a friend… a keidran. His name is Luther! He's… well he's different but…" I paused wondering if I should continue. "Dylan thinks it isn't a good idea but… I managed to convince him otherwise… I know a keidran hurt you but… Maybe… Maybe I can teach them the ways of a human… Maybe… Maybe once you see they aren't so scary, you'll go back to being your old self…" I glanced back up and mumbled, "Will you?"

Her expression hadn't changed one bit. Silence swiftly filled the room once more, giving me the impression gravity had been multiplied by two as a pressure filled my chest.

"Will you?" I repeated, the burden becoming too acute for me to handle, "Please… Please tell me… I-I just need to know mom…"

Once again, nothing. It was a conclusion that arised all the time, but didn't hurt no less. I shook my head, disappointed as tears flowed down my cheeks. The dames were about to erupt, but were interrupted by loud thumps that bombarded the house scaring me straight out of my chair and onto my ass. Realising it originated from the door, I wiped my soaked features and sauntered towards the disturbance.

"H-hello?" I questioned, opening the door enough to clearly see a large robed man.

"Is this the Gray residence?" the man questioned.

"Y-yes sir."

"And where are your parents?"

I frowned from the otherside of the door and replied, "N-not here… M-my mother is ill and my father..."

"If you are the one who is responsible, I'll settle talking to you." His expression shifted into one of annoyance as he demanded, "Please come out from behind the door boy."

I winced but complied, opening the door slowly. "Y-yes?"

He chuckled, "You're the boy named Jakub? Hmph." He rolled his eyes and continued, "I'm here to announce you have been assigned to the scout departement. Please report to Captain Dario Kapcheck monday morning for breefing." His eyes glared into mine, chilling me to the bone. "Templar recruiting children? For your sake, I suggest you listen to your commanding officer - thorougly." He leaned in closer, "That's if you want to live."

My eyes widened as the blood seemingly emptied from my body. The man spun around, flaring his coat and walked away graciously from my frozen corpse. I shut the door silently and collapsed as the hinges clicked. I gasped for air, my anxiety had reached levels I couldn't handle. In my panicked state, my eyes fell upon my mother. Who would take care of her if I… If I… I heaved, trying to regain control of my breathing pattern. I knew the risks, but hearing it from a man's voice shot me with instant regret. Was what I was doing really right?

"You'll die." whispers flooded my mind. "You'll die. Die, die, die. Are you ready to die?"

"No…" I whimpered.

"Die, die, die. You'll die just like your mother!"

"N-no!" I cried.

"Yes!" another voice shouted.

"Like a dog, you'll die just like a dog! You're weak! You're alone!" the first voice spat.

The voices broke into laughter, both simutaneously getting louder seemingly each second.

"S-stop… Please... Please... " I pleaded.

"CAN'T YOU SEE?!" the second howled.

"STOP! PLEASE! I BEG YOU - STOP!"